Question Number: 23259

Law 6 - Assistant Referee 5/4/2010

RE: Rec, competitive Under 17

Greg of Rockwall, Tx USA asks...

My question is about a balance between watching the ball and watching the second to last defender. When I am working as center, I like to give my AR instruction, just worry about offside as a first priority, I'll focus on throw ins since I will be watching the ball. I'll point, you follow that way we don't cross flags. If I need your opinion I'll make eye contact and you lead, I'll follow. This keeps us always pointing the same way. However, some referees want more of the ARs' opinion than that. I run into jams when working as an AR because I have trouble balancing focusing on the second last defender but also watching the ball when it's right along the sideline, Even moving my eyes back and forth quickly sometimes things get missed. I am looking for advice on balancing when to focus more on the ball and when to focus more on that second to last defender. Is it a peripheral vision thing? I have heard about looking in between the two, but I just haven't found something yet that really works for me so I'm looking for suggestions. After missing a couple throw in calls and getting the 'you have to watch the game not just collect your money' line from the crowd, I decided to get some advice. Thanks in advance!

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I tell my newer AR's, your first priority is offside. Then ball out of play, and finally fouls and other activities on the field. If they are paying attention to offside and don't know who sent the ball off the field, they can just put their flag straight up and I'll make the decision.

When I'm an AR, I shift my attention from offside to ball out of play as needed. While the ball is coming down my line, I'll be focused more on the play, but remember that there might be a player or two out in the middle. If the ball should get crossed to the middle while I'm paying more attention to the sideline, I take a quick look to the center. If I'm not absolutely sure that the player was offside at the time the ball was crossed in, I won't make the offside call.

With some experience, you get to know where your attention is most needed.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Greg
The 1st priority is offside, then the throw in and finally fouls on the FOP.
One of the tips here is 'crabbing' which is facing the FOP and moving sideways as required by the movement of the 2nd last defender. That gives you some peripheral vision as the AR can keep play slightly in view out of the left eye with at the same time facing directly in field, which is the priority.
Also teams tend to repeat what they do in games so if the right sided players kicks the ball forward on early plays there is a good chance that will continue. Also anticipation is important and looking at the player's intentions.
If you are unsure of the direction of the TI then just raise the flag and allow the referee to give the direction and then follow. That should be agreed in the pre match.
Also pay no heed to the calls from the sideline as that is a distraction and effects concentration levels. If the call was in that teams favour nothing would be said. I had two groups of supporters behind me at a final at the weekend and the calls were at complete opposites depending on the call by the referee and myself.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

While your first priority is offside, you have to remember what that means as far as your positioning as an AR is concerned. You should be even with the next to last opponent OR THE BALL whichever is nearer the opposing goal line. That may help some. Also being an AR is NOT an easy job. You still have to do your best to watch for fouls and when the ball goes out of play. I infinitely prefer to center games. As an AR, there are times when you simply don't know who last touched the ball before it crossed the goal or touch line. What you do should always be covered in the pregame with the referee.